Souhegan's Isabelle Stevenson (1) looks to make a move against Portsmouth's Addie Delisle during last June's Division I semifinal in Exeter. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

They made it to the finals last spring, losing a tough battle to Portsmouth. Can the Bishop Guertin girls lacrosse team get back there in June? Can Souhegan return to the Final Four after making it last June?

Those and other questions exist as all the local teams are set to get their seasons underway this week – a week that could mark the return to games at Stellos Stadium if work was able to get completed this past week.

In any event, here’s look at what’s ahead:

DIVISION I

The Cards have a number of returnees this season, including senior defender/midfielder Jordan Gaebel and senior goalie Maddy Eder-Linell. Also keys are midfielders Abby Lynn (junior) and Lola Dumont (sophomore), plus junior defender Sydney Brophy.

“We bring back a number of returners and have some new faces who are excited to compete together,” BG head coach Callie Santos said.

Nashua South lost one of the area’s top scorers over the years, Ella Benzekeri, to graduation. But there are still some familiar names back, including senior midfielders Maren Lowell and Karina O’Donnell, senior attack Saige Devins, plus defenders Nevaeh Eppolito (senior) and Karina Santana (sophomore).

Keep an eye out to for newcomers Addie Borden, a junior on attack, and freshman midfielder Carly Benzekri. Familiar name, no?

“We will be young this year but we have some outstanding upperclassmen who are already showing our new players the ropes,” Panthers coach Ciki MacIntire said. “We have a great group who has been committed to the offseason and we’re looking forward to putting it all together in the next few weeks.”

Nashua North, still rebuilding and coach Jenn Dyer teaching the game, will play a reduced schedule this season, playing the minimum number of games needed to qualify for the tourney (12). Two of those will be against rival Nashua South, and they’ll play one other local, Souhegan. But that’s not a white flag by any means as the Titans had a good off-season.

“We have a lot of talented returners that worked hard off season,” Dyer said, looking at Molly Ducharme and Rachel Gauthier as team leaders.

Juniors Anya Seo, Savanna Basford, Kate Munroe, and Alexa Farrell will be important as will be sophomore Lily Small and freshman Devin Brown. Elliott Brown and Mya Zibolis will share goaltending duties.

“We have a cohesive team with more girls swinging both varsity and junior varsity this year,” Dyer said.

The Sabers of Souhegan had a great 2024 season, losing to rival Portsmouth in the semis, a close semifinal at that. Two seniors should set the pace, senior midfielder Natalie Heimarck and attacker Abby Giannetti. Watch three sophomores who are read make in impact: midfielders Libby Kennedy, Izzy Stevenson and defender Sophie Jacobs.

“I’m really excited for the upcoming season with the crew we have,” Sabers coach McKinley Curro said. “We have like minded players who are passionate about lacrosse with big goals for the season. If we can continue to thrive as a team, with our athleticism and game IQ, we can achieve great things this year.”

Merrimack lost a big senior class that had the ‘Hawks in last year’s mix, but four seniors are expected to lead the way this spring: midfielder Ava Martin, attack Payton Trepaney, attack Lexi Bell and defender Summer Dalbec-Joyal. So are junior midfielders Jackie Hayes and Liv Mitchell.

“My expectations for this team is to grow together, compete with intensity, and to support each other on and off the field,” ‘Hawks coach Katie Todd said. “Wins are great, but development and teammwork this year are top priority.”

DIVISION II

Hollis Brookline, meanwhile, has a new coach in former Souhegan standout of a decade ago, Madison Learned. She has an attack revolving around career 100 goal scorer senior Sabrina Hill, headed for Saint Anselm next season, plus senior attack/midfielder Juliette Ogren, bound for Furman next year, who will also be a key in the draw circle.

Other keys include senior midfielder/defense Nyah Jernberg, bound for Wagner College; senior midielder/defense McKenna Maguire, of soccer fame. While also helping out with the draw, “She is expected to have the highest (caused) turnovers on the team and help with the transition with her incredible speed,” Learned said.

Watch too for freshman midfielder Olivia Langfield. A season after winning a title, HB had an early tourney exit last year but that could change this spring.

At Alvirne, two who were captains last year as juniors, Audriana Chipperini and Addison Lemire, both at mifield/attack, are eligible to return. The Broncos also could have seniors to help its defense as Victory Chapman, Reece Durkee and Gianna Allison all played last year as juniors, as did Adiana Reilly, Jaliceanna Santiago and Kyle Grove on offense.

DIVISION III

With much better numbers, Milford is climbing back after almost starting from scratch a season ago following a couple of tourney years. Senior attack/midfield Amanda Faria, junior defender Quinn Cotsifas and goalie Violet Renda, plus sophomores Maggie Pelletier (midfield) and Payton Gaj (attack) are players to watch.

“We have a strong core of returning players this year, coming back with improved skills both individually and as a team,” Spartans coach Shannon Finnegan said, noting that the team has double the amount of players it had last year. “We’re eager to get our season started and be a competitive team in the division.”

Campbell will be aiming for a playoff run led by four key seniors: midfielder Callie Hoover, goalie Rania Chaudhry, and defenders Myleigh Pomerlieau and Abby Guerrette. Sophomore attacker Ava Grant, midfielder Lilli Wilson and freshman midfielder Zoey Bourque are also players to watch.

“We have a young team, complemented by a few experienced seniors,” Cougars coach Michael Theriault said, noting several new teams have dropped down into the division. “Despite our youth, I’m eager to see our progress throughout the season and believe we’ll be competitive.”